Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have some further information in relation to a question asked by Senator Bob Brown on 10 March 2010 of me in my capacity as the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts which I now seek to incorporate.

Leave granted.

The answer read as follows—

MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION, HERITAGE AND THE ARTS

Senator Brown asked the Minister representing the Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts, upon notice, on 10 March 2010:

(1)

What is the status of the implementation of the Government’s National Indigenous Languages Policy (the Policy)?

(2)

Does the Government plan to undertake a national consultation on the policy; if so, when and how.

Senator WongThe Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

(1)

The Australian Government’s National Indigenous Languages Policy establishes a framework for ongoing national strategic support for Indigenous languages. In consultation with FaHCSIA, DEEWR and AGD the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts is currently finalising an Action Plan as a blueprint to implement the Policy.

(2)

The Action Plan will involve consultation with state and territory government agencies and Indigenous languages organisations to identify strategic initiatives which align with the objectives of the Policy. Details of this consultation are being finalised as part of the conclusion of the Action Plan, however discussions with key organisations, such as community- based Indigenous languages centres, umbrella bodies and AIATSIS, around issues identified in developing the Policy and the Action Plan are already underway.